The Next 12 Years
So much has happened in the second twelve years of the United Nations University to fit into a newsletter, so we have excerpted, edited and condensed UNU literature to get an overview. More details are available on The United Nations University System web page.

About a year after founding UNU/WIDER the UNU set up a program in Caracus, Venezuela called Programme for Biotechnology in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNU/BIOLAC) to promote and develop new technologies in biology in the region.

The UNU Institute for Natural Resources in Africa ended up in Accra, Ghana just 200 miles east of the Ivory Coast. It is helping to rehabilitate Africa’s natural resources. Its main objectives are to strenghthen African research institutions, mobilize scientists and technologists ... and empower them with knowledge so that they can formulate self-reliant policy options. It focuses on soil and water conservation and management, indigenous food crops, useful plants and mineral resource development. Adjunct to INRA is a Mineral Resources Unit in Lusaka, Zambia established 1n 1990.

The UNU Institute for New Technologies (INTECH) was established in Masstricht, the Netherlands in 1990. It conducts research on bringing together policy-oriented research and training of the economic and social implications of new technologies for developing countries. INTECH’s programs emphasize research on the economic and social impact of new technologies, policy studies on matters of urgent importance, and the training of PhD fellows.

The UNU International Institute for Software Technology (UNU/IIST) was founded in Macau in 1992. It helps developing countries strengthen capabilities and become self-reliant in three areas: (1) the development of software, (2) university-level software curriclum development, and (3) participation in international software research. UNU/IIST also helps bridge gaps between theory and practise, university and industry, consumer and product, industrial countries and develop- ing countries. UNU/IIST concentrates on advanced joint research and development and on dissemination of public domain software and publications - all involving fellowships in Macau.

The UNU INTERNATIONAL NETWORK ON WATER, ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH (UNU/INWEH) was located in Hamilton, Ontario in October 1996. It integrates expertness in these three areas.

The UNU International Leadership Academy (UNU/ILA) was located in Amman, Jordan in 1995 to serve as a focal point for the exchange of information and experience among young future leaders of the world.

The next year saw the opening of the Initiative on Conflict Resolution and Ethnicity, a joint undertaking with the University of Ulster. INCORE carries out research, training and other activities on ethnic, political and religious conflicts. Iceland serves as the base for two important UNU capacity-building initiatives for specialists from developing countries: a Geothermal Training Programme (started in the first twelve years) and a Fisheries training program since 1998.

The UNU INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED STUDIES (UNU/IAS) was set up in Tokyo in 1996. It develops original, forward looking solutions to problems at the common boundary between made and natural systems. Its research program investigates three interlinked themes of natural development; (1) economic restructuring for keeping development alive, (2) mega-cities and urban development, and (3) agreements among several parties and governance. It also has a post-graduate education program offering PhD fellowships and short training courses in these three themes.

Much more has happened in the UNU during this twelve year period. Certainly too much for a newsletter. There were, of course, the many, many meetings, conferences and seminars. In 1998 alone ten books were published by the UNU Press and all were deposited in the sixtyone UNU-Depository Libraries around the world. Nine books, based on UNU work, were published by others.

Postgraduate training - between 1976 and 1998 about 1,700 UNU Fellows received training at the UNU Institutes.

The Millennium Project of the American Council for the United Nations University was given one of the United Nations Association Awards from the National Capital Area Chapter during the UN Day celebrations. The award was given for "program excellence and furthering the ideals of the UN."

Gail Scott, former channel 7 anchorwoman presents the Blue-Ribbon award to Jerry Glenn

While in Tokyo, Jerry had an excellent 1.5 hour meeting with UNU Rector Hans van Ginkel. In February 2000 the Rector will be in Washington for some time before and after the Planning Committee meeting and will be happy to meet with any or all Council members. Time and place will be in the next Newsletter.

The 1999 State of the Future may be translated into Chinese and published by the China Financial and Economic Publishing House reports Jerry Glenn upon his return from Beijing. Royalties will go to the Millinneum Project Beijing Node.